Liverpool close in on their prime left-back target: A shrewd signing by Jurgen Klopp?

Liverpool to finally get a left-back?

Premier League outfit Liverpool are interested in signing Andrew Robertson from Championship side Hull City, as per recent reports. The Reds have been facing a major problem at the back, with Alberto Moreno not being up to the mark and Jurgen Klopp having to fill the void, with make-shift stars.

After being linked with a move to Anfield for quite some time now, it seems that the 23-year old Scotland international will finally sign the dotted line.

The Merseyside outfit have not really been that active in the transfer market this summer and will now want to start doing some real business and sign more players.

Attackers Mohamed Salah and Dominic Solanke have been the stars that have been added to the squad and the team is need of reinforcements to strength other areas of the pitch.

Player stats

The young Scottish defender has made nearly 100 appearances for the Tigers and tends to focus more on defence than attack, as he has only managed to score thrice since joining them in 2014.

This is exactly what has been the problem with a player like Moreno, who keeps pushing forward too much and is eventually caught out of position. Overall, if you ask most of the Anfield faithful, they will tell you that Moreno can’t defend. Which isn’t all that surprising considering he used to be a winger in his early Sevilla days until Unai Emery converted him into a part-time full-back who could do a decent job.

Further, looking at the stats for Robertson, he made 39 total appearances at club level and 6 more at the international level, which means that he can play a good amount of games and has the fitness levels to play out a season. He makes, on an average, 1.6 tackles per game and 1.7 interceptions to add to that and can play as a wing back as well, if needed. (Stats via Whoscored)

Deal or no deal?

Liverpool have no choice but to sign someone to replace Moreno on a permanent basis and the Scot is one such player who can do that. He is still young and can also have a long-term career with the club, if he manages to impress Klopp in the upcoming season, once the deal is completed.

Although James Milner has done a decent job and can be used in that role next season, the club will be playing better quality opposition in the Champions League if they can get past the qualifiers and need an actual left-back who won’t be exposed by the better sides.